Hawks shift focus to Tennessee

Compared to Tuesday, today was a much lighter practice in terms of the intensity of hitting on the field, as the Seattle Seahawks turned their attention to this Saturday’s game against Tennessee.

“It will actually be a good thing for us,” said cornerback Kelly Jennings about facing the Titans. “You kind of go against our offense, and you’ve done it for long you know what to expect and so you kind of get used to that.

"And now you’ve got a different team, you have a different preparation and things you have to watch on film. So it kind adds some more excitement."

The Seahawks ran through scout team for both the offense and the defense during team drills. And they worked on punt return and field goals.

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Where’s the pass rush? There’s been plenty of talk about how the Seahawks are going to generate a consistent pass rush this season with the retirement of Patrick Kerney, along with Darryl Tapp being traded.

Right now, Chris Clemons, Nick Reed, Red Bryant, Aaron Curry and Brandon Mebane are being counted on to get it done up front, along with a change of scheme that will include more multiple looks and likely more blitzing.

Clemons is a guy who had eight sacks while with Oakland three years ago, but believes he did not get an opportunity to showcase his talents the two years he played for the Eagles.

He’s getting a second chance with Seattle.

“You always have to have that confidence in yourself that you can still do it,” Clemons said. “And I still have that confidence that I can still do it. I didn’t get an opportunity to really show it out in Philly. My playing time was reduced by a lot. Coming here and learning Coach Carroll’s system, it allows me that opportunity to do it. So my thing is to take advantage of the opportunity I’ve been given.

Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said the team has taken the questioning of his unit’s pass-rush ability as a challenge.

“At this point I really don’t care what other people think,” Mebane said. “As long as we do our job. We know what we have to do, so what people have to say, worrying about where are going to get a pass rush, That’s on them. That’s their worries.

“Look here, we take everything as a challenge. We don’t take just one single category as a challenge, we take everything as a challenge. So anything, any time, any place, we challenge ourselves. We’re competitors.” RB Washington ready: Running back Leon Washington, who is returning from a compound leg fracture that ended his 2009 season, continue to look good in full-contact practices. Washington had some reps with the first unit today, including the last part of practice, serving as the single back during two-minute drills.

“The coaches are doing a good job or really watching what I do,” he said. “But I’m eager to go out there to make plays, so I feel better and better each day, and that’s the encouraging thing. During the offseason when I was training I would be sore the next day, but for some reason, I’m coming out and every day I feel better and better, so that’s an encouraging sign.”

Washington said he doesn’t know if he will get the green light to play on Saturday against Tennessee, but he’ll be ready.

“Not yet, but I’m preparing myself like I will play the whole entire game,” Washington said. “That’s the type of shape I need to be in, so whether I play one play or no plays, I’m going to come out and be ready to play.”

Some tidbits:

* WR Mike Hass made a nice catch on a post route during team drills from QB Charlie Whitehurst during team drills

* CB Josh Wilson had an over-the-shoulder pick on a go route intended for T.J. Houshmandzadeh from Whitehurst during 7-on-7.

* WR Ruvell Martin made a nice grab along the sideline matched up against safety Earl Thomas, but it was ruled out-of-bounds.

* I haven’t said a whole lot about TE John Carlson, but everyday he makes a play that further solidifies the thought that he could be headed for a monster season if he stays healthy. Again, offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates has done a nice job of coming up with different ways to get Carlson in mismatches on the field.

About the Seahawks Insider Blog

Gregg Bell joined The News Tribune in July 2014. Bell had been the director of writing for the University of Washington's athletic department for four years. He was the senior national sports writer in Seattle for The Associated Press from 2005-10, covering the Seahawks in their first Super Bowl season and beyond. He's also been The Sacramento Bee's beat writer on the Oakland Athletics and Raiders. The native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a 2000 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.